Wagner's Four-RBI Night Leads 10-5 Win Over Mudcats

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - A big four-RBI night from Will Wagner led the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (54-64) to a 10-5 victory over the Carolina Mudcats (67-51) on Friday in front of a sellout Fan Appreciation Night crowd at Segra Stadium. Multiple Fayetteville hitters enjoyed three-hit games while the pitching staff hampered a pair of Carolina rallies.

Wagner finished just a home-run shy of the cycle and started his career night with a RBI single in the first inning that scored Michael Sandle. In the second, Sandle improved to 2-for-2 with an RBI single that brought in Miguel Palma for a 2-0 lead. Wagner started the third inning with a double, but Christian Tripp (L, 0-1) managed to strand runners on the corners in his only scoreless frame.

Fayetteville’s game-sealing inning came in the fifth as five runs crossed against reliever Justin Miller. Leadoff hitter Adonis Giron reached on a fielding error and Chad Stevens connected for his second hit of the night putting two on. Sandle continued his perfect 3-for-3 night with his second RBI single of the game, scoring Giron for the 3-0 advantage. After Joey Loperfido was hit with a pitch to load the bases, Wagner yanked a line drive to the right field wall that cleared the bags and broke it open 6-zip. Quincy Hamilton drove in the fifth and final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, putting Fayetteville comfortably ahead 7-0.

Wagner finished 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and a career-high four-RBI game.

While Fayetteville broke the contest open early, Spencer Arrighetti tormented the Carolina offense with a career-long four-inning start. The Astros sixth round draft selection allowed just one hit, a Hedbert Perez single in the second, walked only one, and struck out five in a shutout effort.

After Jairo Lopez (W, 1-1) tossed a scoreless fifth, Carolina plated three runs on Jose Betances in the top of the sixth inning. The right-hander recovered well, tossing a scoreless seventh, and striking out Perez in the eighth before departing.

The Woodpeckers quickly counter punched Carolina’s rally with a three-run sixth inning of their own. Victor Mascai drew a bases loaded walk which forced Miguel Guerrero out of the game. Robbie Baker allowed two inherited runners to score on a two-run double from Miguel Palma that jumped the lead back up to 10-3.

Walker Brockhouse worked the final leg of the bullpen effort. The Memphis product allowed an RBI single to Ethan Murray in the eighth before rebounding to seal the game with a scoreless ninth inning.

The even series continues on Saturday night at Segra Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 pm ET. The Woodpeckers will transform into their Copa de la Diversion identity, Los Guerreros de Fayetteville. The uniforms will be available for auction at the ballpark and online. Fayetteville is scheduled to start RHP Rhett Kouba and the Mudcats will start RHP Zach Mort.

FULL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/649356/final/box